Foraging Ecology of Rangeland Bats

Abstract

Land-use and land cover changes impact the distribution of landscape features in rangelands and wildlife use of the landscape. To balance the requirements of wildlife groups that respond differently to landscape features, managers need more information on how these species use rangelands. Here, we investigate bat use of rangelands. We investigated the associations between bat activity and landscape features using acoustic monitoring and generalized linear mixed effect models. Trees and open water were positively associated with bat activity. We also investigated bat use of rangeland tree patches using a hierarchical modelling framework to build generalized linear models that included landscape, patch, and local level variables. Bats selected contiguous patches with low basal area. These studies show the importance of riparian forests for rangeland bats, and guide management of these areas. This data will aid managers in conserving rangeland bats and balancing their habitat requirements with those of other rangeland wildlife.